Business Model Creation (Spring Semester 2025)

General Information

Course Description

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Do you have a business idea that you would like to develop further? Or do you want to learn more about these topics in general?

The course “Business Model Creation” introduces the foundations of entrepreneurship and new venture creation and then focuses on two very powerful tools that enable potential entrepreneurs to create a promising business model: the “Business Model Canvas” (BMC; Osterwalder & Pigneur, 2010) and the “Value Proposition Canvas” (VPC; Osterwalder et al., 2014).

In the course, the participants will learn the conceptual basics of entrepreneurship in general and the BMC and VPC in particular and will apply this knowledge to an own business idea. As such, the course combines academic rigor and practical relevance.

The key questions addressed in the course are:

• What is entrepreneurship and new venture creation?
• What is a business model, and why is a promising one important?
• What are the key elements of the “Business Model Canvas” and the "Value Proposition Canvas"?
• How to create an own business model accordingly?
• What are the respective pitfalls, dangers, and success factors?

The main learning outcomes of the course are:

• Being aware of the foundations of entrepreneurship and new venture creation
• Understanding business models in general and the BMC in particular from both a theoretical and practical perspective
• Improving own entrepreneurial skills and capabilities
• Being able to create an own business model by using the BMC / VPC

Performance Evaluation & Teaching Approach

To receive ECTS, both of the two following elements have to be completed:

• Written business model summary (20-25 pages, in teams of three students): 60% of final grade
• Final business model presentation (20 minutes plus Q&A, in the same teams): 40% of final grade

Attendance of all classes is mandatory. The course will be taught through in-person teaching with physical attendance. Specifically, the course includes a variety of didactic elements such as classic lectures, exercises, and presentations.

Tentative Course Overview